America's Mistress: The Life and Times of Miss Eartha Kitt

. He currently writes for the Mail on Sunday, having worked for the Independent, Sunday Times, NME and as contributing editor of GQmagazine. John L. Williams is the author of six books, most notably his Cardiff trilogy and Bloody Valentine (which the police force tried unsuccessfully to ban). He was born and still lives in Cardiff

He has a genuine feel for the times in which she lived, knows the ins and outs of show business, and is judicious in his judgments of her many flaws Williams has reminded us that idiosyncratic performers can offer pleasures about which mainstream stars know nothing."William F. "Well researched, elegantly written"Kathryn Hughes, Mail on Sunday"This intriguing book reveals the trail she blazed in American life--and the price she paid."Sunday Times"First-rate"Roger Lewis, Daily Mail
From there Williams traces her escape to Harlem, where she came into contact with leading black entertainers and found quick success as a company dancer-which, in turn, enabled her to travel the world and segue into film, television and music stardom.Williams details her time at the top of the entertainment business--when Orson Welles famously called her "the most exciting woman in the world"--with candor and striking revelations. Strait-laced, pre-civil rights America wasn't ready for Eartha Kitt. Blending intellect, self-awareness and unprecedented sex appeal, she was a Technicolor presence in a black-and-white world. Williams captures the person behind the myth in this engaging biography but also race relations in Twentieth-century America.From humble roots on a South Carolina cotton plantation, the multilingual, possibly multi-racial chanteuse

Insights on a fascinating person Jake I always was fascinated by Eartha Kitt. I learned a lot in this honest biography.It isn't particularly well written and approaches plodding at times. But it hasgreat insights about a fascinating person.. "Love it!" according to James Hewson. Interesting read! Very good!. I was able to undrestand and to get a glimpse I was able to undrestand and to get a glimpse into Miss Kitt's earlier life and also into the Civil Right's causes and issues which were dear to her heart.